THE NEW YORKER ç --tJ '- '\\'lrJ:;! L " t :- . -z , -- ; , " ............ , - .!\ ! t' "--, , . I '. I f"'/ \ - I ",-:- 1 -- - -- - - - . ï ì' I - c:.,<', _",,:v,',,\ i - " 81 DADS FIRS'T FLIGHT I CIRCLED the house before settling the Travel Air on the lower lawn and as usual, Dad watched from the steps. Once down, Gwen sprang out without my help. "Dad's always on hand, isn't he?" she asked as we walked across the lawn toward our interested onlooker. " N ever misses a take- off or landing," I answered, cc even though I've ceased to be a novelty to everyone else." Gwen's next question was simple enough, but it stopped me. When she asked, "Has he ever been up?" what could I say? Neighbors, schoolmates, even the gardener had been pas- sengers. But Dad, never. He collects Currier & Ives prints, and to me he didn' t seem the type. But I've found you can't predict just who is going to be sky ambitious and who isn't. "Dad," I said, when we approached, ''isn't it about time you and I went up to look at a few silver linings?" "Well, son," he smiled, "if you hadn't invited me I was just about to take her off the ground myself." We lost no time. Gwen's helmet and an overcoat were his flying clothes . We were over the elms in a twinkling. Dad was ha ving the time of his life. Whenever I looked around he wore the same rapt expression. I took my hands from the controls-held them over my head to show the plane's .automatic stability. Then back we came to the lawn in a slow glide. Dad's face was all aglow . "Wonderful experience," he said. "Never in all my life have I felt so big or so small." And he keeps getting keener! Air minded? He's positively air hungry. Why, this afternoon after we flew from the club, he said, "Say, don't you think it would be sportier if we changed the 165 engine to a 225?" * * "* Sportsmen penetrate the wilds in their Travel Airs. In com- mercial flying, Travel Airs daily ply their way over mail, transport and business corporation routes. They constitute a ma j or proportion of all commercial planes in service in the United States. And in distance and speed contests these planes capture firsts with a regularity that is almost monotonous. Full particulars about Travel Air ships, their construction and performance for commercial, industrial and private flying will be gladly sent you. Write Department T-12. A PLANE FOR EllERY PURPOSE '- V ...""'<;' \' IJ\; :1 \\ .",.. o r, éi1' lþ "::: ")?; ;.:;:" " .' :(: , " ? t ' [(r:'::; ì ft. '.'s.^'..'... :."...: i;;;;::: :",: , ::::: '\-,,:.' \-' ":\ .:.. :. .. ; +L \}' / _ ' t! ;::: i' , , ::: ':j i!ii :" . )\:f:{..":, -*{;.;'''t- . ". . ,;f;tl 'I, ., . .,.....;........ /:' > .....,: , .--....,......--.. '::"::' " \) . f "::.. ;, ;, , :<t,:.: '=ill.$"', r $. ;.., ::t :.:.:.:-c..::.. i:;&f :,, :i::,: .,,:;.:-..:::::::: /&1 : .I:.i; i!II' w{{: :,{::n::::: r:::..;::::::;::r':::: ::':::::..:..:' : The Travel Air open cockpit biplane is Wright Whirlwind powered at either 165 or 225 H.P. High speed, 165 H.P. Engine, 122 m.p.ho High speed, 225 H. P. Engine, 132 m. p. h. Every Travel Air Airplane is entitled to full Curtiss-Wright day and night service at more than 40 bases throughout the contznent. TRAVEL AIR COMPANY Division of CURTISS-WRIGHT Sales Offices: 27 West 57thSt.,NewY ork